Iolani rolls Mid-Pacific to start ILH season

Iolani middle Cameryn Ann Nagaji puts down a kill in the first set against Mid-Pacific Greg Yamamoto | SL

The defending state champions was not going to let a delayed start slow them down.

Iolani got the best of visiting Mid-Pacific at the Father Kenneth A. Bray Athletic Complex Monday night, 25-14, 25-14, in both teams' ILH opener, which was pushed back 45 minutes because the Owls were dealing with bus issues before the match.

Regardless, the Raiders (1-0) were anxious to hit the floor for the first time since playing in the Ann Kang Invitational in the second week of August.

"I thought we came out good, I thought we came out confident," said Iolani senior and Stanford-commit Elena Oglivie, the reigning All-Hawaii Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.

Oglivie delivered nine kills in a dominant effort and showcased why she is one of 12 players representing the United States in the FIVB Girls' U18 World Championships in Cairo next month. She is expected to miss at least five ILH matches, but said that she has faith in her teammates' ability.

"It's kind of, for me, bittersweet because of course I want to be here. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity so I'm excited for that. I know my teammates have it. I have full, 100 percent confidence in them. I know they can do it. I wasn't playing (as much) in the second set and they still won so it's good and I trust them that they can do this."

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].